Creativity in the media is on my mind. I saw Frozen last week. As a gay woman, I was struck by Idina Menzel’s rendition of Let it Go (more so than Demi Lovato’s version) and so I looked up the lyrics (see below).

When I heard the song and read the lyrics, I felt sad. I felt sad for my own coming out experience with my family and friends — for the years I kept the secret (although, at my 25th college reunion everyone said they already know — go figure!!). The lyrics are classic of any coming out story — meaning — anyone who lives there life with a secret — especially those who want to save their family or friends from learning about the secret for fear of disappointment….abandonment….judgment…loneliness.

Now, I am not saying the Snow Queen is gay — she could be — the cold hand thing could be an outward manifestation of sorts?? What this says to me is telling personal secrets may be painful for kids and shedding or telling the secret comes with a range of emotions. As a parent, it makes me want to ensure my son feels safe sharing his secrets with me by suspending judgment for the little every day secrets…build secret telling muscle… listen and support. And, this is harder to do in practice than to write about — I get it. And, for the big secret to come out — I believe the muscle needs to be built on the little ones.

Let it go, let it go
Can’t hold you back anymore
Let it go, let it go
Turn my back and slam the door

The snow blows white on the mountain tonight
Not a footprint to be seen
A kingdom of isolation and it looks like I’m the queen
The wind is howling like the swirling storm inside
Couldn’t keep it in
Heaven knows I try

Don’t let them in, don’t let them see
Be the good girl you always had to be
Conceal, don’t feel, don’t let them know
Well now they know

Let it go, let it go
Can’t hold you back anymore
Let it go, let it go,
Turn my back and slam the door
And here I stand
And here I’ll stay
Let it go, let it go
The cold never bothered me anyway

It’s funny how some distance makes everything seem small
And the fears that once controlled me can’t get to me at all
Up here in the cold thin air I finally can breathe
I know left a life behind but I’m to relieved to grieve

Let it go, let it go
Can’t hold you back anymore
Let it go, let it go,
Turn my back and slam the door
And here I stand
And here I’ll stay
Let it go, let it go
The cold never bothered me anyway

Standing frozen in the life I’ve chosen
You won’t find me, the past is so behind me
Buried in the snow

Let it go, let it go
Can’t hold you back anymore
Let it go, let it go,
Turn my back and slam the door
And here I stand
And here I’ll stay
Let it go, let it go
The cold never bothered me anyway